Bible Miscellany II Trivia Quiz

Answer: Adam was with Eve

In many translations, including the NIV which I used while creating this quiz, Genesis 3:6 says: "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

Some translations are ambiguous, but ever since Milton published "Paradise Lost", in which the idea that Adam was tending another part of the Garden was important both theologically and dramatically, most people have the impression that Adam was not at the tree.

Answer: Two of every unclean animal; seven of every clean animal

Genesis 7:1-3. Those sets we played with as children gave us the wrong idea by supplying their plastic animals only in pairs, but it makes sense to supply more of the animals that were eaten.

Answer: A woman must not lie with another woman as if she were a man

Leviticus discusses the handling of mildew in chapter 13:47-52, draining blood in 17:13, and avoiding partiality in 19:15. Leviticus contains no prohibition against women lying together, although it does forbid men lying with men.

Some scholars argue that women were intended to be included in the prohibition and 'men' is just a general term. More argue that Leviticus shared the ancient belief that males brought seed to females' fertile fields. Therefore, goes that argument, the male prohibition is to prevent the taking of life that accompanies the wasting of seed. Women have no seed to waste, so no prohibition is needed. However, these and other modern interpretations are attempts to explain why Leviticus is silent: the text itself has many prohibitions specific to women but never mentions this one.

Answer: He hid a short sword under his clothes where his left hand could draw it out quickly

Judges 3:12-30. Commentaries suspect that the reason Ehud was described as left-handed was because, if searched, guards would have likely found a right-handed soldier's weapon.

Answer: A seraph cleansed Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar

Isaiah's commission is described in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.

Answer: A plague of locusts

This invasion of locusts was a huge disaster. Joel says "Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation." Joel 1:2-3.

Answer: casting out a demon

Neither Gospel writer declares this to be Christ's first miracle, but both of them start with this miracle and do not mention Cana. Mark describes the event in Mark 1:21-28; Luke describes it in Luke 4:31-37. Matthew doesn't describe a first miracle; in Matthew 4:23-25 he simply says Christ started performing miracles of healing.

Answer: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Mark 15:34. Those who heard Christ thought he was crying out to Elijah. They offered him vinegar to drink and waited to see if Elijah would save him.

Answer: He healed the lame man's ankles so that he could walk.

The story is told in Acts 3:1-10. When "all the people" were amazed, Peter took advantage of their amazement, told them they should not be surprised, and for two chapters used the opportunity to preach. His witnessing caused many to join the new fellowship.

Answer: But keep up your courage; not one life will be lost.

The story is told in Acts 27 and the first half of 28. The shipwrecked group ended up on the Isle of Malta. Paul was eventually tried in Rome and beheaded.